Streetside parking under threat in AT plan

Shopping zones in Takapuna, Milford and Sunnynook could lose streetside parking in the latest Auckland Transport (AT) plans to streamline the city’s roads.

As well as designated town centres, zones around the Northern Busway stations are also lined up for “proactive parking management” under AT’s far-reaching Draft Auckland Parking Strategy.

The 10-year plan also flags charging for parking, initially $2 to $4, at park-and-ride stations, including Akoranga, Smales Farm and Sunnynook.

The park-and-ride move is likely to add further pressure to nearby streets, at the same time as housing intensification is adding to the demand for kerbside spots.

AT says its thinking behind charging is that people who drive to park and rides to use public transport are being subsidised by ratepayers and other bus users.

The strategy was signed off for public consultation by Auckland councillors in a 13-10 vote this month. North Shore representatives Chris Darby and Richard Hills both supported it.

Public feedback on the initiatives – which range from the removal of parking spaces to help encourage people out of cars onto public transport, bikes or the footpath, to charging more for parking or time-limits to encourage vehicle turnover – can be submitted until the end of the month.

Some local-board members have questioned how meaningful consultation will be, given a lack of specific detail for each area. AT says the detail will come later, when localised comprehensive traffic management plans are drawn up and consulted on.

Targets of the 10-year plan reach beyond identified local zones, with key roads listed as part of the city’s Strategic Traffic Network in for priority attention. In the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area, these include Esmonde Rd, Lake Rd (south from

Going green... Highlighted areas for proactive parking managent.

Esmonde Rd down to Albert Rd), Bayswater Ave, and a small section of Northcote Rd across the motorway to Taharoto Rd.

The stated aim of AT’s strategic network is to prioritise efficient transport ahead of parking, which may be replaced by bus, transit (T2/T3) and cycle lanes.

“These changes to how we manage parking across our city are desperately needed,” said councillor Darby, who chairs the Planning Committee and is a council representative on AT’s board. “Some of our busiest streets have become full-time carparks, storing cars and holding up our communities instead of enabling travel.”

Although the draft will become a staged plan to cope with growth, climate targets, and housing policy changes, Darby wants it rolled out with urgency. Mayor Phil Goff backed the strategy consultation proceeding, though he last year slammed AT’s initial plans to remove network parking without consulting residents or boards as “arrogant”. At a time when the council is grappling with government directives, backed by the National Party, to remove the need to provide off-street parking for new housing that must flow through to its Unitary Plan, more change to streets is a tricky public sell. After the feedback is collated, AT will share it with boards, which will give their own feedback. The strategy will then be finalised for action from later this year.

Milford / Takapuna Tides

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WHAT’S ON @ Takapuna Library

Join us for some holiday fun!

“Who’s been painting my roses red?”

Join us in the library as we celebrate all things Alice in Wonderland. Each library is hosting a day of collaborative art, dress-up and fun – see how many you can visit!

Birkenhead Library: Thu 21 April 10-4pm

Northcote Library: Sun 24 April 10-4pm

Glenfield Library: Tue 26 April 10-4pm

Takapuna Library: Thu 28 April 10-4pm

Devonport Library: Fri 29 April 10-4pm “Would you tell me please, which way I out to go from here?”

It’s time for the Takapuna Beach Business Association Easter Scavenger Hunt! As part of this exciting event, make sure to stop at our library, which will look a little different! Bring your biggest Cheshire Cat grin, collect your sticker and best of luck! From Sat 9 April – Sun 1 May Artful Narratives Te Pãtaka Toi Art Library Level 1, Takapuna Library Friday, 22 April, 11:00 am Toni Hartill will discuss the beautiful sculptural artists’ books in her Artful Narratives exhibition. View the artworks being handled and manipulated, and see how they reveal their secrets. Meet Toni and hear the local history stories and inspirations behind them. Toni’s printmaking and artists’ books have been exhibited throughout Aotearoa and abroad, and we are thrilled to showcase her works in the Angela Morton Room Te Pãtaka Toi Art Library.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY Kathryn Robertson

Residential Sales 021 490 480

E: Kathryn.robertson@bayleys.co.nz W: kathrynrobertson.bayleys.co.nz

Mixing it up... Gallery owner Mike Geers says today’s art buyers are more diverse, and more willing to experiment

Gallery has the art of longevity

A North Shore gallery owner celebrating 30 years in business says people are more likely to experiment with art these days, and buy a piece that “doesn’t match the curtains”.

Variety was showcased in an anniversary exhibition this month at Art by the Sea, which Mike Geers moved from Devonport to Takapuna a year ago. “It’s a lot busier, a really good experience, a lovely neighbourhood,” he said of the location across the road from the Bruce Mason Centre. “And we can still call ourselves Art by the Sea.”

A change he has noticed over the decades is diversity in both taste and influences.

“If anything, there has been more art produced, and more exciting and different art. That can be attributed to an influx of people from other countries who see our country through different eyes.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on creative business, particularly with gallery openings being off the table.

“This place is a gathering of stories, so when those stories can’t be told in person that makes it difficult. But hopefully it’s just a blip.”

More people were looking up artwork online, however, but those who lived close by still liked to come and see the pieces in the gallery, he said.

Bearing up... Cast members during rehearsal for a production of Chekhov’s The Bear at the PumpHouse Theatre (from left) Finlay Wilson, Danielle Nicholson and Max Easey

Seeing herself in the rebellious female character in Anton Chekhov’s The Bear led North Shore director Monique Rabie to mount a production of the play.

The Bear is set to open at the PumpHouse Theatre in Takapuna on 20 April, after Covid-19 rules forced the cancellation of a run planned last year.

Rabie said the comic story focuses on the emancipation of women. “The main character, the main lady, she kind of acts as a rebellious symbol for all women during that time,” she said. “She goes against all social norms that everyone was used to.

“I really love the main character… I could see that in myself.”

Rabie, who lives in Torbay, but works at the PumpHouse, says she is a Chekhov fan. “I think his language use is very rich and interesting. You don’t have to have a lot on the stage to make it interesting. The language itself speaks for itself.” Rabie started out as an actor but moved into directing because she likes managing all the parts – including cast, sound and lighting – to make a whole performance. “I get to be involved in the whole thing.” The other actors in the play also have have links to the PumpHouse through working there or from previous performances, Rabie said. The show runs for five nights from 20 April, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at the door or from the PumpHouse website.

NOW SHOWING

The Bad Guys (PG) 100min The Last Bus (M) 86min The Lost City (M) 112min Ambulance (R16) 136min Benedetta (R18) 132min

NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW

Fantastic Beasts:

The Secrets of Dumbledore (M) 142min NEW The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (R13) 107min

Preview Screenings 16 APR

COMING SOON

Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts (E) 89min 21 APR

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

(R13) 107min 21 APR Operation Mincemeat (TBA)

Preview Screenings 22-25 APR

The Dutch Film Festival:

My Father is an Airplane (PG) 91min 23 APR EuroTeens Short Film Night (R13) 65min 1 MAY

Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness

(TBA) 127min Night Before Screening 4 MAY

SPECIALS

CHEAP TUESDAY

$10 Adult / $8 Child

*EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

SPECIAL SCREENING

events@thevic.co.nz

We will be operating under the Covid Protection Framework with My Vaccine Pass regulations in place. For more information please visit our website. 48 Victoria Road | (09) 446 0100 | www.thevic.co.nz

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